Send us a text What if the difference between surviving and falling apart in the face of trauma was a simple conversation? Prepare to be enlightened by our guest, Tony Harrison, the founder of the Public Safety Group. Tony taps into his extensive experience, from being a dispatcher and deputy sheriff to a consultant, to illustrate the power of resilience and compassion in dealing with trauma. He stresses the rising issue of compassion fatigue and the importance of discussing our experiences to d...
Oct 17, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Send us a text How do you build resilience in the face of adversity? What role does emotional intelligence play in managing stress, uncertainty, and anxiety? Tune in as I join forces with emotional intelligence guru, speaker, and author Jen Shirkani to learn about the combination of emotional intelligence and resilience, its vital role in stress management, and the unique perspectives she gained from her conversations with survivors. Ever wondered how to measure emotional intelligence? Jen guide...
Oct 11, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Send us a text Join us as we tackle the art of resilience with speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate Jodi Samuels. With her superpower for compartmentalizing stress, Jodi takes us through her life as a world traveler, entrepreneur, and mother, shedding light on how focusing on the big picture and not fussing over trivialities has shaped her journey. Our conversation includes personal responsibility and the crucial role it plays in building resilience, Jodi's life lessons and practical tools for bu...
Oct 04, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Send us a text Listen in to this conversation with Anna Seewald, a psychologist, educator, parenting coach, and host of the Authentic Parenting podcast, about the intricacies of resilience and its pivotal role in parenting. We unravel the threads of shame and unworthiness, shedding light on the need for self-compassion in the process of healing. We also talk about the generational ramifications of trauma and the uphill battle of navigating parenthood while simultaneously healing deep-seated woun...
Sep 27, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how societies rebound from atrocities like the Holocaust? Join me for a compelling conversation with scholar and author Dan McMillan, where we explore this very question. Founder and leader of Safe Democracy in America, Dan provides a unique perspective on societal resilience in the face of trauma, drawing from his study of the Holocaust. His insights shed light on the resilience of victims and also on the moral evolution that societies undergo in the afterm...
Sep 20, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Send us a text In the face of adversity, we often find strength we never knew we had. Today, we're in for an inspiring conversation with teacher and poet Sean Hogan. A survivor of the 9/11 attack, Sean gives us a unique insight into his journey of recovery and the difficulties we face in the aftermath of trauma. We delve into how significant it is to share our experiences with a trusted confidant and how the narrative we construct about our traumatic experiences is instrumental in how we deal wi...
Sep 13, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Send us a text Can you imagine what it's like to face a life-altering tragedy and come out even stronger on the other side? Christina Stanton embodies this strength--after 9-11 she discovered the power of instinct and the importance of community in the healing process. Her We engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the role of therapy in trauma healing, and how turning to others, irrespective of our tendencies, can help us cope with adversity, a lesson that is universally applicable. Don't m...
Sep 06, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Send us a text We journey through the stories of stress and adversity which, rather than breaking us, actually serve to cultivate resilience with Jesse Kohler, the Executive Director of the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice. Jesse's personal narrative of loss, and the unexpected outreach from a coach that followed, is a touching and powerful illustration of this. We also examine an often overlooked space - the school system, where trauma-informed policy can make a world of differe...
Aug 30, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Send us a text Have you ever wondered about the workings of the human mind in the face of trauma? Let's join therapist Joy Turner in an illuminating conversation on the complexities of trauma, the unique paths to resilience, the critical role of early intervention, and how traumatic memories differ from non-traumatic ones. We look at the systemic factors at play and the pivotal role institutions can play in the healing journey. Joy also sheds light on the challenges in implementing trauma-inform...
Aug 23, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Send us a text Imagine a world where your challenges are not your undoing, but instead are your superpowers. This is what our guest, Kelly Mendenhall embodies every single day. After becoming suddenly disabled, Kelly endured formidable hardships, including multiple surgeries. Yet, she has adapted and thrived, using these experiences as catalysts for growth. Navigating life with a disability has significantly challenged both Kelly and we dive into her journey, spotlighting the pain of chronic con...
Aug 16, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Send us a text Are you ready to redefine resilience? Psychologist and retired Air Force officer, Dennis Tansley and I discuss resilience, from personal experiences to cross-cultural perspectives. This episode urges us to face, not evade, the discomfort of pain, a crucial element in fostering true resilience. Shift your perspective on trauma healing with Dennis as we talk about system-based resilience and learn first-hand lessons on the human capacity for resilience. We wrap up with an inspiring ...
Aug 09, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Send us a text What happens when you face adversity head on and choose to thrive, not merely survive? Our guest today, Steve Gavatorta, an acclaimed coach and author of In Defense of Adversity , shares his insights and reveals how the unpredictability of life—especially in a world grappling with the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic—can be navigated by cultivating resilience. We explore compassionate leadership, trauma-sensitive tactics, and the importance of maintaining team engag...
Aug 02, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Send us a text Are you ready for a mind-expanding exploration? The guest on today's episode promises to get your neurons firing in brand new ways. We're thrilled to have futurist, behavioral scientist, and author Chris Marshall on the show, guiding us through a fascinating journey into the realm of resilience. Chris delves into the profound impact of emotional fluency and self-compassion, offering unique perspectives on how to equip ourselves for the inherent uncertainties of life. We uncover th...
Jul 26, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Barry Furey, a public safety consultant, trainer, and speaker. We discuss resiliency and the movement toward empathy in the public safety world, the importance of upfront training in public safety about how difficult the job can be, and how to look for the good in the bad. Barry has more than 50 years of experience in public safety, including being directly responsible for the management of large volume communications centers in four different sta...
Jul 19, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Nōn Wels, founder of the Feely Human Collective and host of the podcast You, Me, Empathy. We discussed how we wish we didn't always have to be resilient, why self-empathy is essential, and discomfort as a teacher (a topic that also came up in my conversation with ' Tine Zekis .) Nōn grew up as a sensitive kid and didn't always feel safe. He learned early on to guard his heart so nobody—not even he—could find their way in. This led to a lot of pain...
Jul 12, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with James Gardner, life coach and survivor of near-death experiences. We discuss how trauma puts us into survival mode, not necessarily a place where we can thrive, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and how to look at resiliency in terms of knowing where your boundaries are. James is a life coach who uses his experience of surviving two near-death experiences (a horrific car crash when he was a child, and then a brain tumor as an adult) to share all the wi...
Jul 05, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Siddharth Ashvin Shah, a physician, public health scientist, and educator. We discuss the shadow side of resiliency, how resiliency is not a trait but rather a set of skills and competencies we are continuously working on, and resiliency as a bridge that can support us even when we aren't at 100%. We also discuss the concept of trauma as a lens by which we can notice suffering (and that we have the tools to do something about) and the importance o...
Jun 28, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Send us a text Listen in on this conversation with 'Tine Zekis, a software engineer, keynote speaker, and champion of diversity, equity, and belonging in the tech industry. We discuss imposter syndrome, personal resiliency versus organizational resiliency, what it will really look like when we reach equity, and what it means to lean into discomfort. 'Tine helps Black women professionals change the trajectory of their careers, dramatically increase their lifetime earning potential, and build gene...
Jun 21, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Send us a text Listen in on this conversation with Carrie Speranza, an emergency manager, and a key part of the IAEM Stronger Stories initiative. We talk about the importance of the support of our systems and institutions when it comes to resiliency, how to be prepared for an emergency but not live in fear, and the importance of telling our stories in building resilience. Learn how the concept of performing to the level of our training or policy, versus the level of our goals matters in emergenc...
Jun 14, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Send us a text Listen in on this conversation with Jolie Wills, a leading psychosocial expert in disaster and disruption. We talk about supporting psychosocial recovery after disaster, the triple responsibility of resiliency, and building a culture of caring in your organization. Jolie is the cofounder and CEO-Americas of Hummingly, which provides tools and workshops to help people perform under pressure. She has studied how the mind works under prolonged pressure, how we make decisions, and how...
Jun 07, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Send us a text Listen in on this conversation with Rayna, speaker and training and leadership consultant. We discussed how it is ok not to be ok, why we need to remind ourselves of that fact so often, and the role of setting boundaries in being a resilient person. You can make a change now or later. You have the ability to make life better for yourself and the people around you and the little things matter. Rayna has built the life of a true digital nomad and she is working on her PhD in buildin...
May 31, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Terry Fossum, leadership expert, coach, speaker, author, and adventurer. We discussed how to overcome fears and doubts, find strength in others when you can't find it in yourself, the power of mindset, and the value of giving people grace and love. He also share with us the importance of focusing on the solution, not the problem--there is always a way, and it is our job to find it. Terry has prevailed in a number of industries and shares with othe...
May 24, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Kim Guevara, an emergency management and development professional, and founder and CEO of Mozaik Solutions. We discussed emergency management and emergency manager stress, the importance of planning before an emergency to be ready to deal with it when it happens, and the need for policy to help achieve these goals . In a disaster, people don't rise to the occasion, they sink to the level of their training. Kim has 25 years of experience in emergen...
May 17, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Dan Griffin, an author, thought leader, and expert on men’s relationships and masculinity. We discussed the complex reality of male trauma, how to help men heal, and what it really means when we talk about toxic masculinity. We had a fabulous conversation and I really appreciate Dan's perspective on the topic of trauma and on feminism. Dan has dedicated his life and work to exploring and redefining what it means to be a man in the 21st century. He...
May 10, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Garth Smelser, co-founder and manager of Mindful NOAA and co-founder of Mindful FED. We discussed resiliency in the workplace, the power of community, and mindfulness--your life is right now, in this moment. Since the start of the pandemic, Garth helped build Mindful NOAA as a means of bringing the personally and organizationally transformative practices of mindfulness and meditation into workplace culture. He helped start Mindful FED to complemen...
May 03, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Matthew Lostaglia, a speaker, and podcast host. We discussed resilience and preventative resiliency, the value of meaningful and transparent communications within an organization, and work-life harmony. Matthew's purpose is to assist businesses to reduce burnout and optimize resources invested in attracting and retaining talent. Thanks to his experience in the military, he brings a unique perspective to finding resilient talent solutions. And I le...
Apr 26, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Laura Olinger, a scientist, fitness and wellness teacher, and a certified Gems of Excellence teacher. We discussed neuroscience and energy fields, resiliency, and being one's authentic self within an organization. Laura lives where science and mysticism meet and combines her loves of moving, music, science, and humor into all Vintage Moves programs, which are built on the belief that we can be “always getting better.” You can learn more about Laur...
Apr 19, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text April 15, 2023 is the ten-year anniversary of an event that changed Michael Chase's life. He is a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing. He and I were a few hundred feet apart that afternoon and we met for the first time two months ago. Listen in as he talks about what he has learned over the past decade about resilience, the willingness to ask for help, and how to prioritize finding support after experiencing a trauma. Michael is a school resource officer and a speaker who talk...
Apr 12, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with Xu Simon, coach, consultant, and speaker. Among the topics we discuss: building capacity, the way that resiliency is context-dependent, science as a global good, and how the external environment can either support a person's growth or add microtraumas and problems. Xu helps technical talent and executive leadership resonate together in high-tech industries to maximize everyone’s bottom line. We had a fabulous conversation and of course, we made su...
Apr 05, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text Listen in on my conversation with David Barber, an emergency manager at MIT and chair of IAEM's USA mental health and wellness caucus. We discussed compassion, empathy, mindfulness, and the role of organizations in supporting resiliency. David and I met several years ago at an emergency management conference and became instant friends because we both think about and work toward mental health equality/equity for all. I learned so much about him during this conversation; I hope you ...
Mar 29, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 13